Veterinary charity, the Animal Health Trust (AHT) has been announced as the Olympia Horse Show's 2013 charity of the year. Throughout the week of 16 December 2013, The Olympia Exhibition Halls, located in Hammersmith, West London play host to a packed timetable of all things equestrian. The event includes top class international competition for show jumping, dressage and driving, boasting a total of over 80,000 visitors.

Each year the show supports a charity, which is relevant to the UK's equestrian community. Previous charities selected by the show include the Ebony Horse Club, The Horse Trust and World Horse Welfare. However, this year organisers felt that they wanted to support the AHT and the exceptional work that it carries out.

The AHT works behind the scenes constantly monitoring equine disease around the world, identifying threats to the British equine population and putting in place robust plans to head off infectious disease wherever possible. In addition to its disease surveillance work, the AHT undertakes extensive on-going research into minimising the risk of injury to sports horses.

Jo Peck, Marketing Director for the Olympia Horse Show, said: "We are delighted to be supporting the Animal Health Trust this year. The Show Committee selected the AHT from a number of charities as they felt that its work deserved recognition amongst the equestrian community. The afternoon performance on Wednesday 18 December 2013 will be dedicated to the Animal Health Trust, and 50p from every seat sold will go to the AHT."

One of the AHT's key roles will be to host the Shopping Drop Off Point. With an entire hall dedicated to shopping at the event, visitors are invited to 'check in' purchased items at the Bag Drop to avoid taking them into the performance area. The Drop Off will be manned by AHT representatives, allowing visitors to find out how research undertaken by the AHT has directly affected sports horses, as well as how its work also benefits dogs and cats.

Dr Mark Vaudin, Incoming Chief Executive at the Animal Health Trust is thrilled about the selection, and said: "The AHT does so much to improve equine health, from performance and injury related clinical treatment to research into disease. It's wonderful for the AHT to be recognised for these contributions, and to have the opportunity to share the importance of our work with so many horse enthusiasts."